Animal Behavior: An Evolutionary Approach, Eighth Edition | 
| Author: John Alcock
Publisher: Sinauer Associates
Category: Book
List Price: $94.95
Buy Used: $39.65
You Save: $55.30 (58%)
New (31) Used (139) from $39.65
Avg. Customer Rating:  7 reviews
Sales Rank: 32037
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 8th
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 564
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3.5
Dimensions (in): 11.1 x 9.2 x 1.1
ISBN: 0878930051
Dewey Decimal Number: 591.5
EAN: 9780878930050
ASIN: 0878930051
Publication Date: April 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Book Description
This new edition of Animal Behavior has been completely rewritten with coverage of much recent work in animal behavior, resulting in a thoroughly up-to-date text. Notable is the inclusion, for the first time, of discussion questions embedded in the text itself, rather than appended to the end of each chapter. This format is designed to encourage students to reflect on the material they have just digested while also making it easier for instructors to promote a problem-solving approach to the subject in their classes. Another key organizational improvement is the consolidation of what had been two separate chapters on the genetic and environmental influences on development. By combining this material, the new Chapter 3 makes a stronger, more tightly argued case for the view that development is a truly interactive process codependent on both genetic and environmental factors. Like previous editions, the book shows how evolutionary biologists analyze all aspects of behavior. It is distinguished by its balanced treatment of both the underlying mechanisms and evolutionary causes of behavior, and stresses the utility of evolutionary theory in unifying the different behavioral disciplines. Important concepts are explained by reference to key illustrative studies; examples are drawn evenly from studies of invertebrates and vertebrates, and are supported by nearly 1,300 reference citations. The writing style is clear and engaging: beginning students have no difficulty following the material, despite the strong conceptual orientation of the text. Throughout, the author keeps the essence of the scientific enterprise clearly in front of the student reader. The text stresses the role of theory and hypothesis-testing in doing science. The book also emphasizes the tentative nature of scientific conclusions, and it identifies controversial and unresolved issues.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 2 more reviews...
 Not that well written June 5, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
First of all, this isnt a textbook in the traditional sense, so dont get fooled.
It is actually just a compilation of research done on animal behavior, plus a few bolded words and definition.
Definitely a really dry read that makes it overly complicated to understand a concept.
For example, i dont need to know about the experimental design of ducks and how they got them to imprint, i just need a definition and a quick example, not a 3 page long spiel that is a waste of my time to read
 Perfect condition, speedy delivery February 20, 2007
0 out of 3 found this review helpful
The book came shrink wrapped in perfect condition. Speedy delivery. No complaints.
Fun and Educational February 19, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This was a textbook for a class and it is as fun and easy to read as a textbook can be. Lots of good pictures and examples.
Book of examples and studies; great for animal behavior December 12, 2006
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
While I expected this book (and my course) to be a book of concepts and theories, they are actually filled with examples of field studies, lab studies, etc. This makes the book actually enjoyable to read, if you have any interest in animal behavior. The writer is an evolutionary biologist himself, and he makes this clear when he explicitly compares his opinions to other biologists' opinions. The images of the author's thumb as a mating object by a bee were also amusing. Like another reviewer mentioned, this book is fun, and can -almost- be read for fun.
Great book December 1, 2006
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
The reviewer that only gave this book 2 stars is dead wrong, in my opinion. It's sectioned off by topic, then it goes in depth with actual field studies and examples to explain why a particular animal behaviour is what it is, and usually from an ultimate and proximate viewpoint. Very easy to read and follow, lots of pictures and graphs, which helped keep my brain stimulated. I will be keeping this book in my personal library for future reference.
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